Vast numbers of coaches parking on the side of the road on a key route into Cambridge has been branded “utter madness".

Cllr Francis Burkitt has also called on more efficient use of the city's park and ride network to try and get a grip of the problem that hits Barton Road each weekend.

The route into Cambridge from the west off the M11 is a prime spot for bus-loads of tourists, who can get to the likes of Grantchester Meadows and further into the city centre with relative ease.

But Cllr Burkitt, a district councillor for Barton and vice chairman of the City Deal board, said the fallout from the parking was “utter madness".

He added: “Last weekend, Barton Road, Barton and Grantchester were turned into a extended coach park. I counted 17 tourist coaches parked-up at six places, which is ridiculous. I've complained about this before, but no-one seems to do anything about it".

Cllr Burkitt's impromptu survey found the coaches parked in six locations: the lay-by on Barton Road near Gough Way; the lay-by on Barton Road just outside the city boundary; the lay-by on Barton Road by King's and Queens' College Sports Field; the lay-by on Barton Road near the Junction 12 roundabout with the M11; the lay-by in Barton by Wallis' garage, and even at a farm gate in Grantchester

Buses clogging up Barton Road

“I welcome tourists and visitors to Cambridge, but the authorities need to plan better for how we accommodate them," Cllr Burkitt said.

“At the moment there are just 14 coach-parking bays at the park and rides – eight at Madingley Road and six at Trumpington.

"That's clearly not enough and I can't understand why we are not using the park and rides better.

“I talked to one of the coach drivers who said that the nearest place he could park, get a coffee or bite to eat and go to the loo was 10 miles away up the A14 at the Cambridge Services.

“That's silly. We should be thinking more cleverly about how we accommodate them locally, and not force them all to park up at the side of our roads and in our field gates.“

The county council previously told us the park and ride sites are "very well used" by commercial tourist coach companies.

"Around 1,350 of these coaches use the Park and Ride sites a year to park up at a cost of £10 per vehicle," he said.

"Many companies book six months in advance but others turn up on the day.

"We have had no complaints about vehicles using other parking spaces and we have had feedback from companies they prefer using the park and ride sites."

Coaches on Barton Road

Barton Road is one of the areas to have been most affected by the growing trend of commuters parking for free along city streets.

The City Deal has consulted on possible improvements to Barton Road, including a new 'park and cycle' facility at the edge of the city and possibly new cycle lanes.

The issue of tourist and long-distance coaches coming into Cambridge is also an issue, with ongoing complaints about these buses dropping off and loitering at Parkside, near Parker's Piece.